B.C. Cabinet & First Nations
Leaders’ Gathering

Welcome Message

The B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering takes place Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22, 2025, on the territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx ̓wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

The Gathering is a partnership between the First Nations Leadership Council (comprised of the BC Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs) and the Government of British Columbia. As one of the largest meetings of provincial and First Nations leaders in the country, the Gathering is designed to recognize, respect and honour relationships between our respective governments, and facilitate joint dialogue and collaboration.

One-on-one meetings between First Nations leaders and provincial government representatives will be offered on-site. Please register and request your individual meetings as soon as possible.

With our great respect, we hope you will join us.

Travel & accommodation

One representative and one youth delegate from each community are eligible for reimbursement for a total of two representatives, one of which is a youth delegate. Youth are generally considered to be between 18-29 years of age. Reimbursement is available to representatives travelling more than 32 km from their home to the Gathering.

Meal Per Diems:

• No meal reimbursements will be provided.
• Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the Gathering.

Travel:

• Actual costs for flights (receipts are required).
• Transportation via taxi or public transit to and from the airport (receipts are required).
• Travel using personal vehicle will be reimbursed at $0.63/km.

Accommodation:

• Actual costs for hotel for up to two nights at a maximum rate of $265/night (receipts required).

Making reservations

FNLG hotel room blocks are now full. Delegates are invited to explore other accommodation options in and outside of the downtown core. Please note that accommodation in South Vancouver and Richmond may be alternatives to the downtown core as the Canada Line rapid transit line terminates at Waterfront Station, which is within walking distance of the Vancouver Convention Centre West building.

Attendees who choose to stay in private accommodation (for example, with friends or family who live locally) can claim $38.41 per night for up to two nights.

For travel to/from the Gathering from a private residence:

• The most cost-effective method must be used.
• All receipts must be kept for taxi charges and bus fees to be reimbursed.
• Tips paid on taxi receipts are personal costs and cannot be reimbursed.
• Parking fees can be claimed if you keep the receipt.

Submitting a travel reimbursement claim:

• For reimbursement, attendees must submit receipts along with a completed travel expense form to Rhianon Harrison (rhianon.harrison@gov.bc.ca) by March 21, 2025.
• Travel expense forms can be downloaded to print here:
  Natural Resource Sector Non-Government Employee Travel Expense Claim (PDF, 150KB).

Information for media

Members of the media are welcome to attend FNLG’s media availability and witness the opening remarks the morning of day one and again for the closing remarks the afternoon of day two. More details on registration for these opportunities will be made available in the days prior to the event. In the meantime, media can express their interest in attending by emailing fnlg@pacegroup.com

Media looking to arrange interviews with members of the First Nations Leadership Council, please contact the individual organization.

Should media wish to set up interviews with cabinet ministers, please contact the Government Communications and Public Engagement media liaison for that respective minister. Please see media contact list for media liaisons from government by ministry: https://news.gov.bc.ca/contacts

Information for delegations

Delegates and leaders interested in having personal photographers or videographers attend FNLG with a delegation or on an ad-hoc basis (to support documentaries, in-community use, social media etc), are asked to submit a request to the FNLC and the Province for permission. Please email fnlg@pacegroup.com by January 17, 2025.

If permitted, the photographer/videographer will be provided with credentials at the media registration desk. The photographer/videographer should seek consent from anyone that will be included in photos/videos.

Delegates who would like to set up media interviews on site with their leadership should submit a request for media to access FNLG. Please email fnlg@pacegroup.com